How to Use 240×240, General 1.54inch LCD Display Module, IPS, 65K RGB: Examples, Pinouts, and Specs

The 1.54 Inch SPI 240×240 TFT LCD Display Module by Waveshare is a compact, high-resolution display designed for a wide range of applications. Featuring an IPS (In-Plane Switching) panel, it delivers vibrant colors and wide viewing angles, making it ideal for projects requiring clear and detailed visual output. With a resolution of 240×240 pixels and support for 65K RGB colors, this module is perfect for use in embedded systems, IoT devices, handheld instruments, and more.

• Smart home devices (e.g., thermostats, control panels)
• Wearable electronics
• Portable gaming consoles
• Industrial control systems
• DIY electronics projects with microcontrollers (e.g., Arduino, Raspberry Pi)

Below are the key technical details of the 1.54 Inch SPI 240×240 TFT LCD:

The module has an 8-pin interface for communication and power. Below is the pinout:

1. Power Supply: Connect the VCC pin to a 3.3V or 5V power source and the GND pin to ground.
2. SPI Communication: Connect the SCL (clock) and SDA (data) pins to the corresponding SPI pins on your microcontroller.
3. Control Pins:
   • Connect the RES pin to a GPIO pin on your microcontroller for resetting the display.
   • Use the DC pin to toggle between data and command modes.
   • The CS pin should be connected to a GPIO pin to enable/disable communication with the display.
4. Backlight: The BL pin can be connected to a GPIO pin or directly to VCC for constant backlight.

• Voltage Compatibility: Ensure your microcontroller's logic level matches the display's voltage (3.3V or 5V).
• SPI Speed: Use an appropriate SPI clock speed to avoid communication errors. A typical value is 4 MHz.
• Reset Sequence: Always perform a reset sequence during initialization to ensure proper operation.
• Backlight Control: If you want to save power, control the backlight using a PWM signal or GPIO pin.

Below is an example of how to interface the display with an Arduino UNO using the Adafruit GFX and Adafruit ST7789 libraries:

#include <Adafruit_GFX.h>    // Core graphics library
#include <Adafruit_ST7789.h> // ST7789 driver library
#include <SPI.h>             // SPI library

// Define pin connections
#define TFT_CS    10  // Chip Select pin
#define TFT_RST   9   // Reset pin
#define TFT_DC    8   // Data/Command pin

// Initialize the display object
Adafruit_ST7789 tft = Adafruit_ST7789(TFT_CS, TFT_DC, TFT_RST);

void setup() {
  // Initialize serial communication for debugging
  Serial.begin(9600);
  Serial.println("Initializing display...");

  // Initialize the display with a specific rotation
  tft.init(240, 240); // Initialize with 240x240 resolution
  tft.setRotation(2); // Set rotation (0-3)

  // Fill the screen with a solid color
  tft.fillScreen(ST77XX_BLACK);

  // Display a message
  tft.setTextColor(ST77XX_WHITE);
  tft.setTextSize(2);
  tft.setCursor(10, 10);
  tft.println("Hello, World!");
}

void loop() {
  // Add your main code here
}

• Install the Adafruit GFX and Adafruit ST7789 libraries via the Arduino Library Manager before running the code.
• Adjust the TFT_CS, TFT_RST, and TFT_DC pin definitions to match your wiring.

1. No Display Output:

   • Verify all connections, especially power (VCC and GND) and SPI lines (SCL, SDA).
   • Ensure the CS pin is set low during communication.
   • Check the backlight (BL) pin; it must be high for the display to be visible.

2. Flickering or Corrupted Display:

   • Reduce the SPI clock speed in your code.
   • Ensure proper grounding between the display and the microcontroller.

3. Display Not Initializing:

   • Confirm that the reset (RES) pin is correctly toggled during initialization.
   • Ensure the correct driver (ST7789) is being used in your code.

4. Dim Backlight:

   • Check the voltage supplied to the BL pin. It should match the display's operating voltage.

Q: Can this display work with 5V logic microcontrollers like Arduino UNO?
A: Yes, the module supports both 3.3V and 5V logic levels, making it compatible with most microcontrollers.

Q: How do I control the brightness of the backlight?
A: You can use a PWM signal on the BL pin to adjust the brightness.

Q: What is the maximum SPI clock speed supported?
A: The display typically supports SPI clock speeds up to 15 MHz, but 4 MHz is recommended for stable operation.

Q: Can I use this display with Raspberry Pi?
A: Yes, the display is compatible with Raspberry Pi. You can use libraries like Pillow or ST7789 Python drivers for interfacing.

Q: Is the display sunlight-readable?
A: While the IPS panel offers excellent color and viewing angles, it is not specifically designed for direct sunlight readability.